ClearPoint Federal Bank & Trust (“ClearPoint”), an industry leader in providing fiduciary services, investment management, and recordkeeping services to members of the death care industry, celebrates two decades of service this year, marking the company’s 20^th anniversary. Originally founded as Forethought Federal Savings Bank on July 29, 1998, ClearPoint is a company that boasts a rich heritage, solid financial strength, deep roots, and a singular focus on the death care industry.

The company’s genesis can be traced to ClearPoint’s former parent, Forethought Financial Services, Inc. (“Forethought”), which was launched in 1985 to provide preneed financial products and services through its subsidiaries. The company initially provided preneed life insurance products, but later expanded its offerings to include trust products and services to meet the unserved needs of funeral and cemetery professionals nationwide.

Over the years, both companies (Forethought Life Insurance Company and Forethought Federal Savings Bank) grew significantly, and came to be recognized as leading providers of various products and services to members of the death care industry. In 2014, Global Atlantic Financial Group acquired Forethought Financial Services and made the decision not to be involved with the funeral and cemetery trust business. This move created a “new” company with new ownership, new energy, new independence, and a new name – ClearPoint Federal Bank & Trust.

ClearPoint started in six states with only a handful of customers, but now serves more than 2,400 funeral home and cemetery locations in 43 states and the District of Columbia. Since its inception, the ClearPoint team has grown, but it has always remained true to its original charter, and stayed dedicated solely to the funeral and cemetery industry. With more than 240 years of combined experience in death care related service, the team offers both financial expertise, and an unwavering passion for serving funeral and cemetery professionals. ClearPoint is proud to provide clients with a team of talented and proactive professionals who are always ready to serve.

“It is such a privilege to be surrounded by so many wonderful team members, customers, and industry professionals who have been an integral part of our success. At this milestone in our history, we want to first recognize and thank our customers for their incredible dedication to serving their client families with care, compassion, and respect,” commented ClearPoint CEO and President, David deGorter. “We are also grateful for our customers’ continued support and for the valuable feedback they have provided us over the years. Additionally, I would like to thank the ClearPoint team for their commitment, professionalism, and passion for building a world class company. The support of our customers and the dedication of our team have shaped who we are today.”

As a forward-thinking company that anticipates its customers’ needs, ClearPoint’s vision for the future is to expand its commitment by offering other financial products and services to members of the death care industry. Today, the company offers Trust and Recordkeeping Services, Investment Management Services, as well as Regulatory and Compliance expertise. The company plans to expand its product portfolio to include additional banking and financial services that are expressly designed for members of the death care industry.

“In the future, I foresee a company that is recognized as ‘The Bank’ for funeral and cemetery businesses. I envision a company that continues to offer an exceptional customer experience, delivers products and services designed to meet our client’s unique needs, and provides technology solutions that help our clients save time and money,” added deGorter.

Loyalty, dedication, and a passion for serving professionals in the deathcare industry is a Hirt family tradition. Natalie Maret, daughter of the late Dave Hirt, celebrates her 25th Anniversary with ClearPoint Federal Bank & Trust (ClearPoint).

Natalie’s father, Dave Hirt, well known as one of the “profession’s finest”, served as Batesville Casket Company CEO and President for 13 years, spending his entire career of 33 years with Batesville. Following in her father’s footsteps, Natalie is driven to make a difference in the industry by delivering quality products and services to funeral and cemetery professionals nationwide.

She started her career with Forethought in 1993, and joined ClearPoint in May of 2000. She has served in various areas during her career: Call Center, Successor Trust Acquisitions, Trust Operations, and Trust Administration. Natalie is currently a Trust Administrator for ClearPoint serving customers across the United States.

Today, 25 years with one company is very rare, as the average employee spends 4.2 years in a job.*

We all have something to learn from those that have dedicated their life to a singular mission. Part of what makes the deathcare industry unique are the strong family relations, and the hearts of those that have dedicated their life to serving others.

We hope our interview with Natalie will inspire you to embrace an attitude of care and compassion for others in everything you do.

How would you describe your experience growing up in Batesville, the heart of the deathcare industry?

Before I even knew what the deathcare industry was, I was being exposed to it all the time. My grandfather worked as a driver for all of the Hillenbrand companies and my grandmother worked at the Hillenbrand airport. Working at Batesville Casket was the only job I ever knew my father to have. I loved to tag along with all of them as a youngster to see many aspects of the company. I would see customers arriving and departing at the airport, visiting Jawacdah Farm, and touring the many facilities. And I could see the impact these companies had on our small town. We had a lot of extra benefits that a town the size of Batesville normally would not have.

What is your favorite career memory?

The 2014 ICCFA convention in Las Vegas is my favorite career memory. The bank’s name had just changed to ClearPoint Federal Bank & Trust so we were excited to introduce to the deathcare industry our new name, logo, and brand. It was so much fun to be a part of the ClearPoint team; greeting customers, meeting new people, and talking about the ClearPoint products and services.

What changed in the past 25 years that had the biggest impact on your career?

When I first started, we used “Interoffice Envelopes” to send messages to other employees. Someone would come through the office 2-3 times a day to pick up and deliver the envelopes. It may have taken a couple of days to get a report or a response. Today, I can contact team members using email and instant messaging, and have an answer in minutes, or even seconds. Instant messaging and email have allowed for faster response time to our customers. Technology advancements have streamlined communication for all of us in the last 25 years.

Why the deathcare industry?

Oddly enough, this was not my first choice. I always thought I wanted to work in the health care industry, but circumstances, after living abroad for two years, brought me back to Batesville. In 1993 an opportunity to begin my career in the deathcare industry presented itself. As you can see, it was a perfect fit for me to be in this very caring and compassionate industry.

Over the years, what have you found drives your passion for the deathcare industry?

I love being able to help people, and I know you can do that in many different industries; however, when I’m working with a funeral home or cemetery servicing a family that has experienced a death, it is nice to know that I have a part in helping a family through one of the most stressful and tragic times in their lives.

What did you learn from your father about the industry that has made a difference to you and the way in which you serve customers?

My dad lived every day with one motto in mind – Customers don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. He applied this philosophy to everyone he encountered. That thinking has been ingrained in me, and has helped me to build good customer relationships over the years.

What words of wisdom do you have for your teammates?

A lot of our business is conducted over the phone so I always try to answer with a smile on my face. The customer hears your smile in your voice, and it usually puts them at ease if you are smiling, making it easier to address their needs. I’ve actually had people comment that they could “hear me smile.”

*According to the 2016 Bureau of Labor Statistics www.bls.gov/news.release/tenure.nr0.htm

The team at ClearPoint is ready to help you focus on your business so you can relax and create special memories with your family and friends. We all lead busy lives; therefore, it is not easy to relax, to be patient, and to stop and smell the roses.

Do you remember 3D Stereograms (Hidden Pictures) that were popular in the 1990s? On the surface a 3D stereogram image may just look like wallpaper, but after focusing on the image you will discover an incredible 3D image. We recently rediscovered 3D stereograms, and found that the practice of viewing 3D stereograms contains many of the most frequently recommended techniques for reducing stress and relaxing.

Be Present. Slow Down. Be Patient. Breathe Deeply.

Check out the ClearPoint 3D StereogramTips for Viewing 3D StereogramsReveal

We are excited to be a part of the ICCFA Convention & Expo April 18 – 21 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Connect with one of our team members at the Convention & Expo to learn why we are THE CLEAR CHOICE for your trustee/compliance, investment management and recordkeeping needs.

Download the ICCFA Convention & Expo APP to find us at Booth 705.

The Annual Grantor Letters were mailed on January 23, 2018. These annual tax forms are mailed to the grantors of the preneed trusts that have not elected QFT (Qualified Funeral Trust) status.

If you have questions regarding the Grantor Letters, please contact Customer Service at 800-763-0234.

Our office will be closed on the following Holidays in 2018:

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

To print or download a copy of the 2018 ClearPoint Holiday Calendar, click on the button below.